After reading the Poetry of Rumi I noticed a similarity of themes that has been shown in a multitude of poems. In most of the poems there are common themes of love and prosperity. This is shown with a series of different metaphors including wine in poems one, three, 9, and 18.
Many of the poems include taking something dark and during it to a better perspective. For example in poem 19 the author mentions alcohol in a negative context using words such as “drunkards”. Later the author talks about broken barrels and a soaked ceiling, painting a picture of disruption in readers minds. The poem ends with the author stating that the glass is still full, creating a deep metaphor. I believed that this was a symbol for light when everything else in life is falling apart.
Poem 23 stood out to me the most. The poem states, “Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study and begin reading.” I related this to waking up and being quarantined, waiting for the coronavirus outbreak to end. I usually am much lazier at home and do not feel productive. The poem continues by stating, “Let the beauty we love be what we do.” I interpreted this inspiring line as the author claiming that we must make the most out of every situation and pursue what we love even when things are going wrong.